Envoys to face redeployment or termination

Some Fijian ambassadors and high commissioners overseas will soon be terminated under the new Coalition government.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said this would be done as soon as the newly appointed Public Service Commission Chairman Luke Rokovada briefed him on the appointments.

Part of Government’s manifesto included the review of the current operations of Fiji’s embassies globally.

Fiji has four High Commissions, five embassies and two permanent missions abroad.

“It’s a normal thing when there is a change of government, change of political parties in government that ambassadors and high commissioners are recalled,” Mr Rabuka said.

“Normally they come back for briefing and in some cases they do not go back because the policies that they have been promoting or asked to promote will now defer.”

Once the heads of missions are back in Fiji, Government would identify the career civil servants who would be transferred to other departments within the civil service.

“All of them will have to come back, they will be recalled. Some of them will have terminations and some will be redeployed.

“It’s only right that Government sends out representatives at the highest level internationally - those that will speak comfortably about the policies of the new government.”

Fiji’s Heads of Diplomatic Missions overseas are;

■ David Kolitagane: High Commissioner to Australia

■ Kamlesh Prakash: High Commissioner to India

■ Ratu Inoke Kubuabola: High Commissioner to New Zealand

■ Jitoko Tikolevu: High Commissioner to United Kingdom

■ Amena Yauvoli: Ambassador to Indonesia

■ Manasa Tagicakibau: Ambassador to China

■ Filimone Waqabaca: Ambassador to Japan

■ Naipote Katonitabua: Ambassador to United Arab Emirates

■ Luke Daunivalu: Permanent Representative to United Nations and Other International Organizations (PRUNOG) based in Switzerland

■ Satyendra Prasad: Permanent Representative to United Nations (PRUN)